Baltimore Orioles: Six days until pitchers and catchers report

#3. Jonathan Schoop (2013-present)

Currently, the number six flaunts proudly on the front and back of second baseman, Jonathan Schoop. Coincidentally, this will be Schoop’s sixth season with the Orioles.

Schoop’s major league debut came on September 25, 2013, in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays. He went 2-for-3 with a home run off Blue Jays reliever, Kyle Drabek. The Orioles won that game, 9-to-5.

Over his five-year career in Baltimore, Schoop has appeared in 550 games for the Orioles, slashing .264/.300/.451 along the way. Last season, he made his first All-Star team and had his best season, statistically.

Schoop led the team in WAR, 5.1, led the team in overall batting average, .293, slugging percentage, .503 and runs batted in, 105. Schoop was able to attain these great numbers, all during his age-25 season.

Yesterday, Schoop and the Orioles agreed on an $8.5MM contract for the 2018 season, avoiding Arbitration.

The focus should now turn to extending Jonathan Schoop so he can remain with the Orioles organization for years to come.